Lawyer ‘Unsurprised’ By De Jong Legal Action Reports

A Partner at Irwin Mitchell has claimed that discussions on whether Manchester City’s Nigel de Jong should face legal action over a challenge which broke an opponent’s leg are not surprising.

Sion Kingston commented after French club Marseille suggested they may sue over the tackle which saw Hatem Ben Arfa – who is on loan to Newcastle United – break his tibia and fibula. The Frenchman is expected to be out of action for around six months.

Irwin Mitchell has represented a number of amateur and professional players in similar circumstances over the years, including former Sheffield Wednesday defender Ian Knight.

Discussing this latest case, Sion Kingston said: “The fact that Marseille are considering suing Nigel de Jong in respect of the injuries sustained by their player should not be surprising.

“Over the years there have been a number of similar such claims brought by clubs but more particularly by players whose careers have been affected and in some cases, ended by reckless tackles.

“The fact is that the law recognises that, whilst football is a physical game, there is a line that players should not cross. The law is clear that players have a legal responsibility to safeguard the safety of other players, even when the other player plays for an opposing team.

“The law further says that football clubs can be legally liable for the actions of their players if they injure another player during the course of a football match.”